Voltage regulated ac power supply systems and methods

Abstract

A power supply system for generating an output power signal comprises a primary regulation system, a secondary regulation system, and a controller. The primary regulation system comprises a primary transformer and a primary tap switch array configured to regulate a base power signal from the primary transformer such that the output power signal is regulated within a first voltage range. The secondary regulation system comprising a secondary transformer. The controller is configured to apply an adjustment power signal to the secondary transformer to regulate the output power signal within a second voltage range. The second voltage range is smaller than the first voltage range.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A power supply system for generating an output power signal comprising:
 a primary regulation system comprising a primary transformer and a primary tap switch array configured to regulate a base power signal from the primary transformer such that the output power signal is regulated within a first voltage range;   a secondary regulation system comprising a secondary transformer; and   a controller configured to apply an adjustment power signal to the secondary transformer to regulate the output power signal within a second voltage range; wherein   the second voltage range is smaller than the first voltage range.   
     
     
         2 . A power supply system as recited in  claim 1 , in which:
 the secondary regulation system further comprises an adjustment power signal generator; and   the controller is configured to control the adjustment power signal generator to generate the adjustment power signal.   
     
     
         3 . A power supply system as recited in  claim 1 , in which the secondary regulation system comprises an AC/DC converter and a DC/AC converter. 
     
     
         4 . A power supply system as recited in  claim 3 , in which the DC/AC converter comprises an inductor that is external to the secondary transformer. 
     
     
         5 . A power supply system as recited in  claim 3 , in which the DC/AC converter comprises an inductor that is integrated with the secondary transformer. 
     
     
         6 . A power supply system as recited in  claim 1 , in which the secondary regulation system comprises a full-bridge rectifier and a DC/AC converter. 
     
     
         7 . A power supply system as recited in  claim 6 , in which the DC/AC converter comprises an inductor that is external to the secondary transformer. 
     
     
         8 . A power supply system as recited in  claim 6 , in which the DC/AC converter comprises an inductor that is integrated with the secondary transformer. 
     
     
         9 . A power supply system as recited in  claim 1 , in which the secondary regulation system comprises a half-bridge rectifier and a DC/AC converter. 
     
     
         10 . A power supply system as recited in  claim 9 , in which the DC/AC converter comprises an inductor that is external to the secondary transformer. 
     
     
         11 . A power supply system as recited in  claim 9 , in which the DC/AC converter comprises an inductor that is integrated with the secondary transformer. 
     
     
         12 . A power supply system as recited in  claim 1 , in which the secondary regulation system comprises a full bridge rectifier and a push-pull DC/AC converter. 
     
     
         13 . A power supply system as recited in  claim 12 , in which the push-pull DC/AC converter comprises an inductor that is external to the secondary transformer. 
     
     
         14 . A power supply system as recited in  claim 12 , in which the push-pull DC/AC converter comprises an inductor that is integrated with the secondary transformer. 
     
     
         15 . A power supply system as recited in  claim 1 , in which the secondary regulation system comprises:
 a plurality of taps formed by the secondary transformer; and   a secondary tap switch array that selectively connects an output of the power supply system across a pair of the plurality of taps.   
     
     
         16 . A method of generating an output power signal comprising:
 providing a primary regulation system comprising a primary transformer and a primary tap switch array;   configuring the primary regulation system to regulate a base power signal from the primary transformer such that the output power signal is regulated within a first voltage range;   providing a secondary regulation system comprising a secondary transformer;   applying an adjustment power signal to the secondary transformer to regulate the output power signal within a second voltage range, where the second voltage range is smaller than the first voltage range.   
     
     
         17 . A power supply system as recited in  claim 16 , in which:
 the step of providing the secondary regulation system further comprises the step of providing an adjustment power signal generator; and   the step of applying the adjustment power signal to the secondary transformer comprises the step of controlling the adjustment power signal generator to generate the adjustment power signal.   
     
     
         18 . A method as recited in  claim 16 , in which the step of providing the secondary regulation system comprises the step of providing an inductor external to the secondary transformer. 
     
     
         19 . A method as recited in  claim 16 , in which the step of providing the secondary regulation system comprises the step of providing an inductor internal to the secondary transformer. 
     
     
         20 . method as recited in  claim 16 , in which the step of providing the secondary regulation system comprises the steps of:
 defining a plurality of taps associated with the secondary transformer; and   selectively connecting an output of the power supply system across a pair of the plurality of taps.